The historic city of Hoi An will reenact a 17th century wedding parade held for Princess Ngoc Hoa and Japanese businessman Araki Sotaro in the old quarter as part of the 14th annual Hoi An and Japan Culture Festival from August 18 until August 20.

The city’s Culture and Sports Centre commented that the parade marks the relationship between the Japanese community and Hoi An city which began 400 years ago when Japanese traders docked at this bustling trading port. Many of the homes built by these traders have in fact been preserved to this very day.

Local residents preserved the tombs of Japanese traders who died in Hoi An in the 17th century. The oldest was Tani Yajirobei’s, who was believed to have died in 1647. His records included the oldest and clearest information related to his life, including a love affair with a local woman.

This love story reflected the close relationship between Japanese traders and Hoi An residents during a wealthy period of the town’s history in the early 17th century.

Japanese singers Min, Ueno Yuuka, One Asia Join Concert band, and the Hanoi Sennen Yosakoi Dance team will perform at the festival along with local folk art troupes.

Vietnamese and Japanese participants will demonstrate cosplays and martial arts performances of karate, judo and Vietnamese traditional Vovinam, while craftsmen will offer visitors traditional Yukata try-ons, origami (paper folding) and local lantern making.

Artist Nguyen Quoc Dung will display his photo collection at the city’s Sculpture Park on the Hoai River bank, while French photographer Rehahn will display his photos from his trans-Vietnam field trips.

The city will also be exhibiting photos of the co-operation between Hoi An and Japan in the last two decades.